Town maintains scrutiny of junk dealer licenses

Thursday

Feb 21, 2013 at 2:00 AMFeb 21, 2013 at 11:00 PM

The licensing authority wanted to make sure that 2 Good To Be New wasn’t too good to be true, so members asked a lot of questions when James Servidori came before them for a junk dealer’s license Feb. 11.

Edward F. Maroney

Grants a new one, with conditions

The licensing authority wanted to make sure that 2 Good To Be New wasn’t too good to be true, so members asked a lot of questions when James Servidori came before them for a junk dealer’s license Feb. 11.

Nothing personal, members assured the applicant. Even though Servidori described his business as “higher-end antiques, collectibles, vintage, retro – not a typical thrift shop,” the authority took its time – including the time it took police department liaison Dept. Lt. John Murphy to read a sheaf of papers he’d just been handed.

A junk dealer’s license allows the holder to buy and sell precious metals. Noting the recent conviction of Hyannis dealer Carl Marchetti, Murphy said that, “Buying and selling of gold and sports collectibles has created an environment where the police department has some concerns. My concern is the saturation of the market.”

“I have no interest in buying or selling precious gems or gold,” Servidori told the board. Later, he added that all his purchases would come from off-Cape. He will be doing consignments, but will not buy those items.

“I have beautiful maps,” he said, “antique furniture, beautiful artwork. I don’t even have jewelry and coins. It’s not like a pawn shop at all.”

The authority and Servidori, with Murphy’s assent, agreed that the license granted would not allow handling, purchasing, or selling of precious metals, or purchases from individuals. The restriction would exclude even estate sales whose lots include such materials.

The board will review the license for 2 Good To Be True, due to open March 1 at 142 Corporation St. in Hyannis, in six months and remove the estate sales restriction if that’s warranted.

The town’s new guidelines for photographing and reporting items extend to collectibles as well, according to Murphy.

Praise All Around

At the Feb. 11 meeting, Murphy reported that Marchetti, owner of Cape Cod Precious Gems, had been sentenced to four to five years in MCI Walpole after being convicted on five counts of receiving stolen property.

“The Superior Court judge, Gary Nickerson, pointed out the Barnstable bylaw you guys so heartily endorsed assisted in the prosecution of the case,” Murphy told the board. “The guidelines greatly aided the department.”

The reporting rules put in place by the town “have been copied Capewide,” Murphy said, “and numerous jurisdictions throughout southeast Massachusetts have requested our language, which we helped craft with other jurisdictions.” He added that he hopes to see a statewide standard someday.

Murphy said one of the reasons Marchetti was found guilty was that “the records you created were entered into evidence, and proved beyond a reasonable doubt that he did not maintain proper records.”

That record-keeping will be aided by four local holders of junk dealer’s licenses who have agreed to pay for a software program that will help police keep even better track of transactions.

“Kudos to the businesses in the Town of Barnstable that have junk dealer’s licenses,” Murphy said. “We don’t have any issues with their cooperation with the police department, for the most part. They’re very forthcoming and helpful.”